Sunday’s Red Sox-Yankees matchups: John Lackey vs. Chase Whitley

Lackey (8-5, 3.45 ERA) will look to rebound from his last start against the Mariners Monday, as the usually consistent right-hander turned in his worst start in years.

Lackey lasted just 3 2/3 innings, surrendering seven hits and seven earned runs en route to a 12-3 Mariners blowout victory. He was solid through the first three innings of the contest, his lone blemish being a solo home run from Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison in the second inning.

However, the same could not be said in the fourth inning, as Lackey was roughed up for six runs before being pulled by Sox manager John Farrell.

“I felt pretty good in the first couple of innings,” Lackey said after the game. “Struggled obviously in the fourth inning, but wasn’t able to make a pitch to get out of there. Started going downhill and couldn’t stop it.”

The loss snapped Lackey’s career-best streak of 39 consecutive starts in which he has thrown at least five innings. The streak was the third longest in the AL, behind Detroit’s Justin Verlander (42 games) and Anaheim’s Jared Weaver (41 games).

Lackey was dominant in his last start against the Yankees on April 23, holding the Bronx Bombers to just one run over eight innings while striking out a season-high 11 batters. In 29 career starts against the Yankees, Lackey is 11-11 with a 4.82 ERA.

Whitley (3-1, 4.07 ERA) took the first loss of his major league career during his last start Monday against the Blue Jays, allowing 11 hits and eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.

“If they made adjustments, I have to make adjustments. That’s on me,” Whitley said after the game. “I couldn’t command the ball at all like I have in the past. I got away from the game plan, and couldn’t execute the pitches I wanted to throw. They’re a good hitting club.”

Despite his poor start against Toronto, Whitley has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees in the starting rotation. The rookie right-hander has only allowed two home runs in 42 innings this season.

Sunday will mark Whitley’s first career appearance against the Red Sox.